Halorefine
Feed additive for farm animals based on halophytes
Published online: 04.10.2022
Halorefine
Feed additive for farm animals based on halophytes
Published online: 04.10.2022
Halorefine is a spin-out company from Aalborg University, which has developed a new type of extraction technology for the extraction of bio-active plant substances from plant-based biomasses. The company also specializes in quantitative and qualitative analysis of bio-active plant substances, especially from halophyte plants. The goal is to produce and sell an animal feed additive based on bio-active halophyte plant extracts.
Halorefine was founded in January 2022 by Professor Mette Hedegaard Thomsen from Aalborg University Esbjerg and Henrik Tribler. Henrik Tribler, who is the CEO of Halorefine, comes from the business world and complements the technical skills in Halorefine with commercial skills.
DOCUMENTED RESEARCH
Halorefine was founded on the basis of research. Professor Mette Hedegaard Thomsen and her team from Aalborg University have been researching halophyte plants for a number of years and have discovered how bio-active plant substances extracted from the plants have several beneficial properties on animal health when these plant substances are added to animal feed.
The results have also been documented in a number of industrial large-scale aquaculture experiments through the HORIZON Europe project AQUACOMBINE of 11 million Euros, of which Halorefine is a part of.
Halorefine was, therefore, founded with a desire to contribute to the green transition by bringing a natural and plant-based feed additive to the market, as a substitute for antibiotics.
HALOPHYTES – A PLANT WITH SEVERAL QUALITIES
The WHO classifies antibiotic resistance as one of the greatest threats to public health worldwide. The use of antibiotics to treat diseases in farm and production animals and animals in industrial aquaculture is one of the largest consumers and emitters of antibiotics.
In addition, there are a number of climate challenges for agriculture, where agricultural land is destroyed due to e.g. excess fertilization and an increased content of salt in the soil - also called salinization. Salinization occurs due to a rising sea level caused by climate change.
Halorefine addresses both issues. With their climate-friendly and economical extraction method, they will develop a plant-based feed additive from halophyte extracts as an alternative to antibiotics. In addition to providing sources of food and containing useful bioactive plant substances, the halophyte plant can be grown in both saline and depleted soil.
INCREASED INTEREST IN PLANT-BASED SOLUTIONS
There is great interest in the green conversion of natural plant-based solutions, and Halorefine has, therefore, had good opportunities to connect with both business and public organizations. Despite the great interest, there have been challenges, says CEO Henrik Tribler:
"It has been a challenge to find intelligent capital and risk-averse investors, as Halorefine's products are pre-market launch and move within the area of innovative emerging technologies.
Despite this, we are very happy that significant amounts have already been invested in the R&D phase, and of course the fact that Halorefine is a partner in not one but two R&D projects under the HORIZON Europe – AQUACOMBINE and the most recent called IGNITION. Therefore, we also have an ambition within the next three years to scale up the business with production and sales to large parts of the market for feed additives in Denmark and Europe.”
THE COMMERCIALIZATION PROCESS
Since the start of the project, AAU Technology Transfer Office has worked closely with Professor Mette Hedegaard Thomsen, and later CEO Henrik Tribler, in the transition from research project to commercial case, including visualization of the product and clarification of possible IPR rights. It is expected that a patent for Halorefine's extraction technology will be applied for in the near future.
The team has also received sparring and guidance regarding the development of the company's business model, pitch training, funding opportunities and networks that have created a match with external parties.